Post by teejay on Mar 26, 2023 16:46:48 GMT -6
Just got back from a four-day Nashville trip. First, let me say it was a fun time and was musically inspiring. Got some good food, heard some good music, saw some neat museums, and demoed at VK showroom. Studio B was outstanding.
Beyond that, here's what I learned in no particular order.
- There are a lot of talented musicians.
- Nashville can be just as cold as Illinois in March.
- The girls start in on the Bike Bars on Broadway pretty early on Saturday morning.
- If you find good/cheaper parking (Music City Center) be ready to walk.
- Broadway seems to be a hybrid of Las Vegas and Bourbon Street...if that's your thing.
- The Listening Room is a great place with original, acoustic music. (Johnkenn would be one of the best artists there from what I heard.)
- There are lots of museums. $$
- The Ryman, The Grand Ole Opry, and RCA Studio B are a must-see.
- You will become a Country music fan if you're not one already. (Including the desire to buy boots, a cowboy hat, and learn guitar.)
- Current Country music contains one or more of the following themes: Beer (substitute Whiskey), cheating on your significant other, "the girl", heaven, and trucks. Did I mention beer?
- Chris Stapleton is bigger than I knew. At the Country Music Hall of Fame each artist has about three feet of display case. Stapleton has his own 30 yard wall.
- People get drunk at the Ryman.
- I confirmed I am a magnet for show distractors regardless of geographic location. At the Ryman it was the screaming lady next to me who was the only one in the entire auditorium standing the whole time ("girl, Buddy Guy can't hear you...he's using IEMs"), and when she was sitting she was moving so much she was constantly bumping into me. That's what pew seating will do. At the Grand Ole Opry the only couple with an infant was right behind me. (Speaking of which, there are an inordinate number of people who don't pay attention to their seat numbers in the pews.)
- Avoid St. Patrick's Day weekend with a hockey game.
- Your car is not safe even out in Green Hills.
- Your wait of 50 minutes in line at the Pancake Pantry may be due to that women's college basketball team utilizing half of the restaurant.
- VK may change your appointment day due to an unexpected marketing shoot. (Also limiting the equipment available to demo.)
- The Musician's Hall of Fame may put a bag over your street parking meter even though you just plugged it with $5 for 2 hours of time.
- The Gaylord is kinda cool, but I wouldn't spend the $500 per night to stay there.
- If you inadvertently end up at the Country Music Hall of Fame (which you have tickets for a few days later) when you thought you were at the Musician's Hall of Fame, and you figure it out after you buy tickets but before you have them scanned, they'll reimburse you.
- On the Ryman tour they take your picture on stage and DON'T charge you for it.
- Don't be surprised if during your Studio B tour the tour guide can't understand why you're more interested in the two original U-67's in the room than the piano Elvis played.
- Hattie B's first level of "mild" is hotter than you might think.
And the biggest one: Be flexible, go with the flow and you'll have a great time!
Beyond that, here's what I learned in no particular order.
- There are a lot of talented musicians.
- Nashville can be just as cold as Illinois in March.
- The girls start in on the Bike Bars on Broadway pretty early on Saturday morning.
- If you find good/cheaper parking (Music City Center) be ready to walk.
- Broadway seems to be a hybrid of Las Vegas and Bourbon Street...if that's your thing.
- The Listening Room is a great place with original, acoustic music. (Johnkenn would be one of the best artists there from what I heard.)
- There are lots of museums. $$
- The Ryman, The Grand Ole Opry, and RCA Studio B are a must-see.
- You will become a Country music fan if you're not one already. (Including the desire to buy boots, a cowboy hat, and learn guitar.)
- Current Country music contains one or more of the following themes: Beer (substitute Whiskey), cheating on your significant other, "the girl", heaven, and trucks. Did I mention beer?
- Chris Stapleton is bigger than I knew. At the Country Music Hall of Fame each artist has about three feet of display case. Stapleton has his own 30 yard wall.
- People get drunk at the Ryman.
- I confirmed I am a magnet for show distractors regardless of geographic location. At the Ryman it was the screaming lady next to me who was the only one in the entire auditorium standing the whole time ("girl, Buddy Guy can't hear you...he's using IEMs"), and when she was sitting she was moving so much she was constantly bumping into me. That's what pew seating will do. At the Grand Ole Opry the only couple with an infant was right behind me. (Speaking of which, there are an inordinate number of people who don't pay attention to their seat numbers in the pews.)
- Avoid St. Patrick's Day weekend with a hockey game.
- Your car is not safe even out in Green Hills.
- Your wait of 50 minutes in line at the Pancake Pantry may be due to that women's college basketball team utilizing half of the restaurant.
- VK may change your appointment day due to an unexpected marketing shoot. (Also limiting the equipment available to demo.)
- The Musician's Hall of Fame may put a bag over your street parking meter even though you just plugged it with $5 for 2 hours of time.
- The Gaylord is kinda cool, but I wouldn't spend the $500 per night to stay there.
- If you inadvertently end up at the Country Music Hall of Fame (which you have tickets for a few days later) when you thought you were at the Musician's Hall of Fame, and you figure it out after you buy tickets but before you have them scanned, they'll reimburse you.
- On the Ryman tour they take your picture on stage and DON'T charge you for it.
- Don't be surprised if during your Studio B tour the tour guide can't understand why you're more interested in the two original U-67's in the room than the piano Elvis played.
- Hattie B's first level of "mild" is hotter than you might think.
And the biggest one: Be flexible, go with the flow and you'll have a great time!
Of course if the Hall Of Fame ever gets expanded... 